Slatted grid

ABSTRACT

A metal slatted grid comprises independent and identical elongate rectangular slats out of each of which is cut a series of tongues that are bent on the same side as one face of the slat. The free ends of the tongues are conformed so that they can be fixed to an adjacent slat. The tongues terminate in lugs for fixing them permanently into corresponding holes in an adjacent slat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on French Patent Application No. 00.07216 filed Jun. 6, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a metal structure for constructing floors for the construction industry, gardens, etc., cable ducts for the construction industry, industry in general, etc., and possibly ceiling structures. The metal structure concerned is referred to as a slatted grid.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The prior art slatted grid described in German patent No 1 683 657 is formed of a rectangular frame into one edge of which are cut tongues that are bent at right angles, have a cut-out on their bottom edge and are force-fitted into a slot of an adjacent rectangular slat inserted into the frame parallel to said edge. The final rectangular slat inserted into the frame by means of the cut-outs in its tongues is inserted into slots in the edge of the side of the frame opposite that from which the tongues are cut out.

[0006] This requires complex tooling and the design is not strong enough or rigid enough to bear loads.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a slatted grid that is simple to fabricate, does not require complex tooling but is nevertheless perfectly rigid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a metal slatted grid comprising independent and identical elongate rectangular slats out of each of which is cut a series of tongues that are bent on the same side as one face of the slat, whose free ends are conformed to be fixed to an adjacent slat, and that terminate in lugs adapted to fix them permanently into corresponding holes of an adjacent slat.

[0009] In some cases the tongues are bent at substantially 65° to the slats.

[0010] According to another feature, the lugs adapted to be inserted in holes in an adjacent slat are expanded or welded after the lugs are inserted in the holes.

[0011] In some embodiments the tongues are bent in two longitudinally to form two mutually perpendicular faces.

[0012] For making floors, for example, the slats have a rim bent at right angles along their top edge. Planks or the like can then be inserted between the slats.

[0013] The slats can also have fastening members along their bottom edge.

[0014] In one embodiment the tongues have a T-shape part in the vicinity of their free end with an upright and a crosspiece, the slats incorporate holes adapted to receive the uprights, and the crosspieces are twisted after inserting the uprights in the holes.

[0015] The invention will now be described in more detail by means of specific embodiments that are shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slatted grid in accordance with the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the slatted grid shown in the previous figures with the lugs bent at 65°.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022]FIGS. 1 and 2 show part of a slatted grid comprising a series of elongate rectangular slats 1 that have cut-out tongues 2 bent at right angles in their longitudinal middle part. The tongues terminate in lugs 3 with shoulders 5.

[0023] Each elongate slat 1 includes a series of holes 4 intended to receive the lugs 3 of an adjacent slat, the free ends of the lugs 3 being crushed, expanded or welded after engaging them in the corresponding holes 4 to fasten the slats together.

[0024] In some cases the cut-out tongues 2 are bent at an angle of 65° to the slat (see FIG. 3).

[0025]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the slatted grid is formed from a series of slats 10 with cut-out tongues 11 bent at right angles on the same side as a face 10 a of the slats and bent again so that they have two perpendicular faces 11 a and 11 b. The free end of the face 11 a terminates in a lug 14 that is engaged in a hole 13 in the adjacent slat 10. The lug is then crushed or expanded to fasten the slats 10 together.

[0026] An edge slat 15 can merely have the holes 13 to receive the lugs 14.

[0027]FIG. 5 shows a slatted grid 20 for constructing a floor. The slatted grid is formed of a series of slats 21 into the thickness of which are cut tongues 22 of the same kind as the tongues 2 and whose free ends terminate in lugs 23 that are engaged in and fixed into holes 31 in adjacent slats. In this embodiment, the bottom edge of the slats 21 incorporates anchor points 25 and the top edge is bent to form a rim 26.

[0028] Planks 28 are inserted between the slats 21 and rest on the top edges of the tongues 22. The planks have a rebate 29 to cooperate with the edge of the rims 26 to form a plane surface.

[0029] The planks 28 can include grooves 30 cooperating with lanced bosses 24 in the slats 21 to guide and fix the planks.

[0030]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the slatted grid is formed of a series of slats 40 into the thickness of which are cut tongues 41 that are bent at right angles on the same side as a face 40 a. Each tongue 41 terminates in a lug 42 in the shape of a T with an upright 42 a and a crosspiece 42 b.

[0031] The crosspieces 42 b are inserted through holes 44 in the slats 40 so that the uprights 42 a are in the holes and the crosspieces are then twisted to fix the slats together.

[0032] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and just described. Many modifications of detail can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 

There is claimed:
 1. A metal slatted grid comprising independent and identical elongate rectangular slats out of each of which is cut a series of tongues that are bent on the same side as one face of said slat, whose free ends are conformed to be fixed to an adjacent slat, and that terminate in lugs adapted to fix them permanently into corresponding holes of an adjacent slat.
 2. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongues are bent at substantially 65° to said slats.
 3. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said lugs adapted to be inserted in holes in an adjacent slat are expanded after they are inserted in said holes.
 4. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 3 wherein said lugs adapted to be inserted in holes in an adjacent slat are welded after they are inserted in said holes.
 5. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongues are bent in two longitudinally to form two mutually perpendicular faces.
 6. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said slats have a rim bent at right angles along their top edge.
 7. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said slats have fastening members along their bottom edge.
 8. The metal slatted grid claimed in claim 1 wherein said tongues have a T-shape part in the vicinity of their free end with an upright and a crosspiece, said slats incorporate holes adapted to receive said uprights, and said crosspieces are twisted after inserting said uprights in said holes. 